Has writing a book ever crossed your mind? With everyone from YouTube celebrities to famous pets getting their own books (looking at you, Grumpy cat), it might be something you’ve considered, and thanks to modern and digital distribution methods reaching your target audience has never been easier. Many individuals have always wanted to write a book but don’t know where to begin, and even more people think they have a narrative to share but are unsure how to structure and express it in writing. It can be a daunting undertaking when you’re first considering putting pen to paper.
Writing a book is a demanding task, but it’s doable if you’re prepared to put in the time and effort. Recruiting a little outside help doesn’t hurt either, that’s right, just like Gwyneth Paltrow, Snookie, or former US president John F. Kennedy you too may feel it’s best to seek the help of a professional writer to make your vision come to life. In this article, we will take a look at how and where to get help with book writing so you can start your career as an author right away.
Where Can You Get Help?
Finding a writer online is one of the simplest and most direct ways to get help with your project. This is a great choice for someone that would like help stringing together the sentences and paragraphs that make up the bulk of the book while staying true to their creative vision and directing the big picture. By advertising your project on reputable freelancing websites, you will gain access to thousands of qualified and capable individuals to help with your book. This will allow you to be able to choose the best writer to collaborate with on your project. Guru and their expansive list of freelancers is an excellent choice.
After you’ve identified a suitable applicant, you may go over the specifics of the project, such as how much they will be paid and when work will begin. Keep in mind that the internet is littered with scams, which is why it’s critical to choose a writer through a reputable freelancing platform. Freelancing platforms offer fraud-prevention features like escrow payments and verified client testimonials to help protect you from fraud.
If you’re struggling to start your book or are doubtful about finishing it, working with a ghostwriter can help. The beauty of these arrangements is that the door is always open. You don’t have to determine that you want outside help from the start, and you can choose to bring someone on board at any stage of the writing process from the initial brainstorming to final editing. You might worry that you may not have as much control over the final product but collaborating closely with a professional means you can be involved in the process as much (or as little) as you like while still retaining creative control.
How to Choose The Perfect Writer
When picking a writer or ghostwriter, seek one with experience writing in the field you are trying to create in. If you want to compose a romance novel, for example, you would not select someone who primarily works in nonfiction business books. Working with someone with a background or interests that are similar to your book’s topic might also be useful.
You should look for a ghostwriter who has previously worked on books published by traditional publishers. This experience can pay dividends when you are approaching your final draft. They will be familiar with industry standards and norms, giving you greater assurance that the content is accepted for publication.
Another thing to think about is the writer’s communication abilities, especially if you’ll be collaborating with them throughout the project. Just like any relationship, at home or in the workplace, communication is number one. You must ensure that they are communicative and have a clear understanding of your book’s goals. To assess a candidate’s communication skills, look at reviews from previous customers; if they have mostly positive comments, this is an excellent indicator. Send them a message to determine their response time and whether they understand your project demands. Don’t be afraid to shop around and speak to a few potential candidates. Writers should want to do a good job and having a conversation outlining your goals and expectations is the best way to get this relationship starting off on the right foot.
Don’t forget to discuss the price before starting work. Hiring a professional writer is an investment, so make sure you’re comfortable with the cost. When using a freelancing platform these costs should be represented clearly and concisely upfront, so you don’t have any surprises on the final bill. Another added benefit of working with a freelance platform is the additional fraud protection you get in conjunction with client reviews of the writer’s work. These two things together can give you peace of mind that your money is safe and will actually go towards completing your project when you give it to the writer.
How Much Does It Cost?
The price you pay a ghostwriter is determined by their skill, the book’s length, and how much work is needed. A less experienced writer will cost less than one who has been writing for years, while a shorter book takes less time to write than an epic novel. If the story is already created in your head and just needs typing out, that costs less than if the research phase requires months or even years of work before settling down and putting pen to paper.
The average cost for a ghostwriter typically falls between $10,000 and $50,000. However, if you opt to find a writer outside of places like freelancing platforms (and without the aforementioned protections of such platforms), you might end up saving a little money at the expense of any guarantee of work completion. A cheaper (and less risky) option would be to find an inexperienced writer on one of these platforms. Keep in mind that generally speaking, you get what you pay for with writing services but there are plenty of eager writers that punch above their weight class looking to probe themselves on large projects and build their portfolios.
Hiring a ghostwriter is an investment that will save you both time and money in the long term. For example, if you hire a ghostwriter to help compose your book, then you may not have to spend additional money later on hiring an editor for polishing. Conversely not working with a writer and then bringing on an editor at the end of a project can feel frustrating when lots of changes need to be made. This can all feel a lot less painful when you are working with someone through the whole project, have developed a rapport with that writer and they clearly understand how you work and what you are trying to accomplish.
Overall, the decision of whether or not to hire a ghostwriter is a personal one. If you feel comfortable writing the book on your own, then there may not be a need to bring someone else on board. However, if you want help with any stage of the writing process–or don’t feel confident in your abilities–then working with a professional might be the best option for you.
Conclusion
Writing a book is no easy task and not something the average person Hiring a writer is a big decision. If you’re considering it, here are a few things to keep in mind:
– Many people choose to hire ghostwriters to help with writing their books. It’s a great option for those looking for guidance in their own writing or for those who wish to retain creative control of their story but may have too many time constraints to complete the entire project by themselves.
– When choosing to work with a writer many options and arrangements exist and often will not require you to credit that person on the finished product.
– Make sure to choose a writer with experience in the genre you’re writing in. be sure to review a writer’s work to see if it’s a good fit for the story and your vision.
– You should also look for someone who has worked on traditional publishing projects, as they will be more familiar with the process and requirements. This can save you a lot of headaches in the final revisionary process.
– Be sure to communicate your vision for the project clearly, so that the ghostwriter can understand what you’re looking for. Like all group projects and collaborations, communication skills are going to be your most valuable tool. To take this a step further, the writer with the best portfolio isn’t always the person that is going to be able to work together with you the best.
– Finally, make sure you’re comfortable with the writer’s style before you commit to working together. It’s easier to feel you have expressed what you needed to in your project if the writer has a writing style you identify with. Like music, some writers are hard-punching straightforward rock while others may lend themselves more to the give and take of a flowing jazz quartet.
